





m 


BBHH  h 
I^UHH 


: 


mi 


200  TRIBAL   ORGANIZATION, 


2.    REPLIES  TO  INQUIRTES  RESPECTING   THE   INDIAN 
TRIBES  OF  OREGON   AND   CALIFORNIA. 

BY    GEORGE    FALCONER    EMMONS,    U.  S.  N. 

[REMARK.  — We  prefix  to  this  paper  a  quarto  Map  of  Oregon,  &c.,  which  has  been  reduced  by 
Captain  Eastman  from  a  large  sheet  prepared  by  him  from  the  later  manuscript  authorities,  for  the 
daily  administration  of  the  Office  of  Indian  Affairs.] 

BUREAU  OF  CONSTRUCTION,  &c., 

Washington,  D.  C.,  May  ZQth,  1852. 

SIR  :  —  Your  printed  circular  calling  for  information  in  relation  to  the  Indian  tribes 
within  the  United  States,  is  before  me.  The  subject  is  one  of  such  growing 
interest,  independent  of  the  duty  we  all  owe  in  endeavoring  to  supply  a  void  in  the 
history  of  mankind,  that  I  feel  more  regret  than  I  can  well  express,  that  circumstances 
beyond  my  control  prevented  me  from  gaining  much  interesting  information  while 
among  the  tribes  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  It  was  one  of  the  primary  objects 
of  the  expedition  confided  to  me  by  the  commander  of  the  United  States  Exploring 
Expedition,  in  1841,  in  passing  through  Oregon  and  Upper  California,  to  the  Bay  of 
San  Francisco. 

As  will  appear  upon  reference  to  the  printed  Instructions  in  the  fifth  volume  of  the 
Narrative  of  the  Exploring  Expedition,  and  although  my  instructions,  independent 
of  this,  gave  me  enough  to  do,  it  was  owing  mainly  to  the  ague  and  fever  that 
attacked  nearly  every  officer  and  man  in  the  party,  and  the  subsequent  hostility  of 
the  tribes,  that  I  now  find  myself  unable  to  answer  many  of  the  questions  embraced 
i'n  your  circular. 

Such  as  I  can  answer,  I  will  now  take  again  in  the  order  propounded,  confining 
myself  to  the  following  tribes,  whose  approximate  numbers  and  localities  are  sufficiently 
described  in  the  Narrative  of  the  Exploring  Expedition,  Vol.  V. 

These  names  are  variously  spelled  by  different  travellers,  and  the  numbers  differently 
estimated  by  those  whose  opportunities  of  forming  a  judgment  were  less  favorable 
than  those  at  the  command  of  the  different  parties  composing  the  Exploring 
Expedition.  Therefore  in  these  two  particulars  I  shall  copy  verbatim  from  the  above 
work :  — 


: 


HISTORY,   AND   GOVERNMENT. 


201 


TRIBES. 

NUMBER 

Chinooks    .... 

209 

1 

g 

Klatsops     .... 

220 

8 

a 

S 

EH 

Chickeeles  .... 

700 

B 

§ 

Kilamukes.     .   \'    . 

400 

H 

B 

EH 

B 
g 

Callapuyas. 

600 

g    . 
L- 

Umpquas    .... 

400 

ta 
O 

Rogues  or  Rascally  . 

500 

Q 

Klamets  *    . 

300 

c; 

o 
a 

Shaste  '  

500 

o 

Kinkla  

500  2 

- 

a 

Sacramento 

. 

8000s 

Tula  or  Tulara    .     . 

LOCALITY,  ETC. 

Mouth  of  the  Columbia  river,  north  side,  includ 
ing  some  50  miles  interior. 

Mouth  of  the  Columbia  river,  south  side,  and 
20  or  30  miles  of  sea-coast. 

North  and  east  of  ditto. 

South  and  east  of  ditto,  extending  to  the  coast. 
Number,  I  think,  overrated. 

Valley  of  the  Willamette  river. 

do.  Umpqua        do.    going  south, 

do.  Rogue  do.  do 

do.  Klamet         do.  do. 

Mountainous  country  and  dividing  ridge  between 
Oregon  and  California. 

On    Destruction    river    and   head-waters   of  the 
Sacramento  river. 

Valley  of  the  Sacramento  and  its  lower  tributaries. 


N.  B.  These  numbers,  I  presume,  were  intended  to  embrace  the  remnant  of  several 
other  tribes  also  occupying  this  country. 

"  1.  —  What  facts  can  be  stated,  from  tradition,  respecting  the  origin,  early  history, 
and  migrations  of  the  tribe;  and  what  are  the  principal  incidents  known,  or 
remembered  since  A.  D.  1492?" 

Relating  to  their  origin,  early  history,  migrations,  &c.,  I  could  learn  nothing  from 
those  I  communicated  with  worthy  of  repetition. 

The  fact,  now  well  established,  that  Japanese  vessels  have  been  driven  across  the 
Pacific  Ocean  upon  our  north-west  coast,  will,  of  course,  suggest  but  one  way  that  our 
country  may  have  been  first  populated. 

"  2. — By  what  name  are  they  called  among  themselves,  and  by  what  name,  or  names, 
are  they  known  among  other  tribes ;  and  what  is  the  meaning  of  these  respective 
names  ?  State  the  various  synonyms.  Where  did  the  tribe  dwell,  at  the  earliest  date ; 
what  was  its  probable  number,  and  the  extent  of  territory  occupied  or  claimed  by  it  ? 
How  has  their  location,  numbers,  and  the  extent  of  lands  or  territories,  varied  sinci: 
the  earliest  known  period ;  and  what  are  the  general  facts,  on  these  heads,  at  the 
present  time?" 

The  names  of  the  tribes  here  given  are  the  same  as  known  by  themselves  in  every 

1  For  these  tribes,  see  later  estimates  of  Mr.  Gibbs,  p.  171 :  also,  §  XV.  Statistics  of  Population. 
'  My  own  estimate. — G.  P.  K. 

PT.  III.  — 26 


202  TRIBAL   ORGANIZATION, 

instance,  I  believe,  but  that  of  the  Rogues,  who  were  thus  nani'jj  by  the  whites,  for 
several  good  reasons. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  principal  river  is  generally  of  the  same  name  as  that  of 
the  tribe  occupying  the  country  through  which  it  runs. 

From  their  clanish  habits,  and  peculiarities  of  language,  I  should  conclude  that  they 
have  seldom  changed  their  location.  Wars,  too,  so  common  among  savage  tribes,  of 
which  these  are  no  exception,  would  naturally  tend  to  confine  each  tribe  within  its 
original  boundaries. 

Their  numbers  must  have  been  very  much  more  numerous  formerly,  than  appears 
by  the  preceding  table,  from  their  rapid  decline  since  the  whites  have  come  among 
them. 

The  extent  of  territory  claimed  is  usually  bounded  by  rivers,  mountains,  preeminent 
rocks  or  trees;  and  although  their  landed  possessions  do  not  appear  to  cause  them 
much  solicitude,  I  recollect  upon  one  occasion  a  chief  of  the  Callapuya  came  to  my 
camp,  and  after  pointing  out  the  tops  of  certain  hills,  and  other  natural  objects,  as  the 
boundaries  of  his  country,  expressed  a  hope  that  this  would  not  be  taken  from  them 
by  the  whites.  Poor  Indian !  his  country  is  already  in  the  possession  of  the  white 
man,  or  "  pale-face,"  but  it  is  very  doubtful  if  he  has  lived  to  see  it. 

"4. —  Is  there  any  idea  developed  among  them  by  tradition,  allegory,  or  otherwise, 
that  white  people,  or  a  more  civilized  race,  had  occupied  the  continent  before  them?" 

They  have  allegorical  traditions  in  regard  to  their  origin,  &c.,  and  a  confused  idea 
of  dates;  I  cannot  now  repeat  anything  in  a  tangible  form. 

•'9. —  Have  they  suffered  any  great  calamity  in  past  times,  as  from  great  floods,  or 
wild  beasts,  from  epidemic  or  pestilential  diseases,  or  from  fierce  and  sudden  assailants?" 

They  have  suffered  great  losses  from  the  epidemic  diseases  since  their  first  inter 
course  with  the  whites,  which  have  exterminated  whole  tribes. 

The  introduction  of  the  small-pox  they  attribute  to  the  Hudson  Bay  Companies : 
the  disease  was  very  fatal  to  them  in  the  year  1839. 

The  ague  and  fever,  which  also  proves  fatal  to  many  every  year,  they  say  was  never 
known  among  them  until  the  year  1830,  when  an  American  captain,  by  the  name  of 
Dominis,  arrived  at  Astoria,  in  a  vessel,  from  the  Sandwich  islands ;  for  these,  and 
sundry  other  bodily  complaints  of  modern  date  that  they  are  subject  to,  they  attribute 
altogether  to  the  whites,  whom,  they  appear  to  believe,  have  the  power  of  withholding 
or  communicating  these  diseases  to  them. 

Hence  one  cause  of  their  avowed  hostility  to  the  whites,  and  particularly  to  my 
party's  passing  through  their  country;  to  prevent  which  I  received  warnings  by 
runners  from  the  Shast6  nation,  long  before  I  reached  the  Umpqua  river,  with  threats 
of  annihilation  if  I  attempted  it. 


HISTORY,   AND   GOVERNMENT.  203 

u  9. — Does  the  tribe  speak  one  or  more  dialects,  or  are  there  several  languages  spoken, 
or  incorporated  in  it,  requiring  more  than  one  interpreter,  in  transacting  business  with 
them?" 

Of  "  Languages,"  &c. — I  would  respectfully  refer  you  to  the  philological  work  of  the 
Exploring  Expedition,  edited  by  a  gentleman  eminently  qualified  to  do  this  subject 
justice,  and  whose  opportunities  were  probably  superior  to  those  of  any  officer 
in  the  expedition. 

"16. — What  are  the  chief  rivers  in  the  territory  or  district  occupied  by  the  tribe? 
State  their  length,  general  depth  and  breadth  —  where  they  originate  —  how  far  they 
are  navigable  —  what  are  their  principal  rapids,  falls,  and  portages  —  at  what  points 
goods  are  landed,  and  into  what  principal  or  larger  waters  they  filially  flow." 

The  principal  rivers  traversing  the  country  through  which  my  route  lay,  were  the 
Columbia,  Willamette,  Umpqua,  Rogue's,  Klamet,  and  Sacramento ;  the  first  and  last 
only  being  navigable  for  large  vessels  for  any  considerable  distance.  All  of  these  have 
their  tributaries,  that  may  be  navigated  by  boats,  and  in  several  instances  are  worthy 
of  the  name  of  rivers.  With  the  exception  of  the  Willamette,  that  takes  its  rise  to 
the  southward,  and  flows  north  into  the  Columbia,  their  general  direction  is  westerly 
to  the  Pacific  ocean,  until  you  pass  the  dividing  ridge  near  the  Shaste"  mountains, 
when  you  come  upon  the  head-waters  of  Destruction  river,  that  flow  south  into  the 
Sacramento,  the  latter  continuing  in  a  south-westerly  course  to  the  bay  of  San 
Francisco. 

"17. —  Are  there  any  large  springs,  or  lakes,  in  the  district,  and  what  is  their 
character,  size,  and  average  depth ;  and  into  what  streams  have  they  outlets  ?  " 

Passed  many  small  lakes  and  ponds  —  most  of  them  quite  shoal.  One  place  in 
Oregon — now  quite  filled  up  by  the  washings  from  the  surrounding  hills — was  pointed 
out  to  me  as  formerly  a  lake,  by  an  old  gentleman  by  the  name  of  McKay,  who  said 
he  had  formerly  caught  beaver  there  for  the  Company  of  John  Jacob  Astor,  about 
1811  and  '12. 

Springs  are  also  quite  numerous  in  the  mountain  districts ;  temperature  generally 
between  40°  and  50°  F.  Discovered  one  strongly  chalybeate,  south  of  the  Shaste" 
Peak.  The  gold  region  has  since  been  discovered  to  extend  north  of  this. 

"  18.  —  What  is  the  general  character  of  the  surface  of  the  country  occupied  by  the 
tribe?" 

The  general  features  of  this  country,  lying  between  a  range  of  mountains  running 
nearly  parallel  with  the  coast  and  the  latter,  and  known  as  the  President's  range, 
is  extremely  mountainous  after  leaving  the  valley  of  the  Willamette,  until  you 
descend  into  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento. 


204  TRIBAL   ORGANIZATION, 

Immediately  skirting  the  rivers,  and  occasionally  removed  from  them,  we  passed 
over  small  prairie  bottoms  of  rich  soil ;  independent  of  which,  but  a  small  portion  of 
the  country  is  susceptible  of  cultivation.  Neither  wood  nor  water  are  very  abundant, 
except  in  particular  localities;  the  first,  I  think,  is  owing  mainly  to  the  annual  fires 
set  by  the  Indians ;  and  the  latter,  evidently,  to  the  annual  drought,  which  dries  up 
large  streams  of  water. 

With  proper  irrigation,  all  grains  and  vegetables  that  are  common  with  us,  would 
doubtlessly  thrive;  this,  to  a  limited  extent,  has  already  been  proven,  through  the 
exertions  of  our  missionary  establishment  and  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  in  Oregon, 
and  through  Captain  Sutter,  and  more  recent  American  settlers,  in  Upper  California ; 
but  in  no  instance,  that  I  am  aware  of,  through  the  efforts  or  industry  of  the  Indians 
themselves. 

"19. — Are  cattle  and  stock  easily  raised  —  do  the  prairies  and  woods  afford  an 
abundant  supply  of  herbage  spontaneously — are  wells  of  water  to  be  had  at  moderate 
depths?" 

Cattle  and  stock  thrive  admirably;  sheep  require  watching  on  account  of  the 
wolves,  &c.  Wells  were  uncommon;  two  that  I  saw  in  Oregon  were  very  deep  — 
perhaps  thirty  feet  to  the  surface  of  the  water. 

"21. — Are  there  any  extensive  barrens,  or  deserts,  marshes  or  swamps,  reclaimable 
or  irreclaimable,  and  what  effects  do  they  produce  on  the  health  of  the  country,  and 
do  they  offer  any  serious  obstacles  to  the  construction  of  roads  ?" 

In  my  route,  there  were  no  very  extensive  barrens  nor  swamps ;  some  of  the  latter, 
I  have  no  doubt,  had  an  unfavorable  effect  upon  the  health  of  the  country,  and  might 
be  reclaimed  without  much  difficulty.  They  offer  no  serious  obstacles  to  the  construc 
tion  of  roads ;  but  to  make  the  latter  suitable  for  travel  in  vehicles,  and  the  trans 
portation  of  goods,  &e.,  much  grading  and  bridging  will  be  necessary. 

"  23.  —  Is  the  climate  generally  dry  or  humid?  Does  the  heat  of  the  weather  vary 
greatly,  or  is  it  distributed,  through  the  different  seasons,  with  regularity  and  equa 
bility  ?  What  winds  prevail  ?  Is  it  much  subject  to  storms  of  rain  with  heavy 
thunder,  or  tornadoes,  and  do  these  tempests  of  rain  swell  the  streams  so  as  to  over 
flow  their  banks,  and  destroy  fences  and  injure  the  crops?  State  the  general  character 
of  the  climate,  giving  meteorological  tables  if  you  can." 

The  six  months'  almost  continual  rain  from  fall  to  spring,  and  the  remainder 
drought,  will  suggest  the  answer  to  the  first  part  of  this  question.  The  variation  of 
temperature  within  short  intervals  is  greater  than  I  have  ever  experienced  elsewhere ; 
for  instance,  the  thermometer  would  stand  at  100°  F.  during  the  heat  of  the  day,  in 
the  shade,  and  descend  to  32°  or  freezing,  the  same  night.  Upon  one  occasion,  on  the 


HISTORY,   AND   GOVERNMENT.  205 

bottom-land  of  the  Klamet,  in  about  latitude  42°north,it  rose  to  110°  F.  at  meridian, 
in  the  shade.  Had  but  little  reason  to  suppose  that  this  country  was  subject  to 
frequent  storms,  tempests,  or  tornadoes;  during  the  summer  and  fall  months  only 
experienced  one,  and  this  unattended  with  rain,  thunder,  or  lightning ;  it  happened 
in  the  month  of  October,  while  we  were  encamped  near  the  Shaste"  mountains,  and 
prostrated  some  giant  trees.  The  country  has  not  the  appearance  of  being  much 
subject  to  inundations,  except  on  the  navigable  waters  of  the  Columbia,  Sacramento, 
and  San  Joaquiu. 

f  My  route  was  evidently  too  far  to  the  eastward,  or  too  near  the  ridge  of  mountain 
already  alluded  to,  to  feel  the  influence  of  the  regular  land  and  sea  breezes ;  and  I  did 
not  discover  that  there  was  any  prevailing  wind. 

Would  respectfully  refer  to  the  Report  of  the  Geologist,  Mr.  Dana,  who  accompanied 
me,  for  answers  to  the  two  next  questions.  See  Vol.  V.,  Ex.  Ex. 

"26.  —  What  is  the  general  character  and  value  of  the  animal  productions  of  the 
district  ?  What  species  of  quadrupeds  most  abound  ?  State  their  number  and  kind, 
and  what  effect  the  fur  trade  has  had  in  diminishing  the  value  of  the  country  for  the 
purposes  of  hunting,  and  what  species  still  remain  ?  " 

Elk,  deer,  bear  —  white,  black,  and  grizzly;  panther,  calamenul,  wolf,  fox;  raccoon, 
rabbit,  porcupine,  pole-cat,  mountain  sheep,  beaver,  otter  (land  and  sea),  squirrel, 
weasel,  &c.,  are  among  their  wild  animals ;  the  buffalo  not  having  yet  crossed  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  For  a  more  detailed  account  upon  this  subject,  I  must  refer  to  the 
Naturalist  who  accompanied  me  on  this  expedition,  Mr.  T.  R.  Peale ;  whose  work  I 
believe  has  not  yet  been  published. 

An  animal  of  a  different  species  from  any  before  seen  in  California  has  been  taken 
by  a  Mr.  Hill  of  Nevada.  It  is  called  the  California  cat.  It  is  described  as  being 
very  beautiful,  and  bearing  a  resemblance  to  the  marten ;  differing  from  it,  however,  in 
color,  being  a  dark  grey,  encircled  with  bright  brown  rings,  similar  to  the  raccoon. 
The  fur  is  very  soft  and  beautiful.  Its  body  is  about  the  size  of  the  grey  squirrel,  but 
about  fifteen  inches  long,  and  its  tail  sixteen  or  seventeen  inches  long.  1852. 

The  fur  trade  has  evidently  diminished  the  value  of  the  country  for  hunting 
purposes ;  some  of  the  most  valuable  animals  having  already  become  rare  in  many 
portions  of  the  country,  where,  thirty-five  years  ago,  they  were  quite  numerous. 

The  beaver  is  among  the  first  to  disappear. 

"  31. — Are  they  expert  in  drawing  maps  or  charts  of  the  rivers,  or  sections  of  country 
which  they  inhabit?" 

Should  judge  not.  I  endeavored  upon  more  than  one  occasion  to  obtain  some 
information  of  the  unexplored  country  adjoining  them  by  tracings  in  the  sand ;  bur 
could  not. 


206  TRIBAL    ORGANIZATION, 

"  32. — Are  there  any  antique  works,  or  remains  of  any  kind,  which  are  the  result  of 
human  industry  in  ancient  times,  in  your  district?" 

Saw  upon  the  tops  of  some  of  the  hills  in  the  Callapuya  and  Umpqua  country, 
small  mounds  of  earth,  and  occasionally  a  pile  of  stones,  seldom  exceeding  three  feet 
in  height.  Suppose  them  commemorative  of  some  event.1  Upon  some  pre-eminent 
peaks  found  the  stones  so  arranged  as  to  adapt  the  place  to  a  look-out  station,  and 
occasionally  detected  the  Indians  occupying  such  positions. 

"  34. —  Has  the  progress  of  settlements  west  of  the  Alleghanies,  and  the  felling  of 
trees  and  clearing  up  of  lands,  disclosed  any  ancient  embankments,  ditches,  or  other 
works  of  earth  or  stone,  having  the  character  of  forts,  or  places  of  military  defence  ?  " 

Their  only  mode  of  fortifying,  that  came  to  my  observation,  was  upon  the  banks  of 
the  Columbia  river ;  by  a  circumvallation  of  palisades,  placed  close  together,  from  ten 
to  fifteen  feet  high,  and  between  which  there  was  occasionally  a  small  loop-hole  through 
which  they  could  discharge  their  missiles.  This  fortification  was  so  constructed  as  to 
afford  those  inside  a  covered  way  to  the  water  or  river. 

"  37. — Does  the  level  surface  of  the  prairie  country,  which  is  now  partially  over-run 
by  forest,  preserve  any  traces  of  a  plan  or  design  as  of  ancient  furrows  or  garden-beds, 
which  appear  to  have  been  abandoned  at  a  definite  period  ?" 

None  that  I  could  discover.  They  would  necessarily  have  to  be  very  permanent, 
to  remain  long  in  existence  in  this  country,  where  the  soil  abrades  so  much. 

"39. — What  is  the  general  character  of  the  antique  implements,  ornaments,  or 
ntensils  of  earthen-ware  found  in  your  district  of  the  country  ?  " 

Saw  but  few  implements  of  any  kind.  The  water-tight  basket,  of  various  sizes  and 
shapes,  woven  out  of  green  bark  or  grass,  is  used  by  the  tribes  about  the  Columbia  for 
almost  all  domestic  purposes.  I  have  been  told  that  they  even  boil  wrater  in  these,  but 
this  I  never  saw.  They  now  begin  to  substitute  our  iron  and  tin  vessels. 

"40. — If  pipes  are  found,  what  is  the  material  —  is  it  stone,  steatite,  or  clay — how 
are  they  formed  —  to  admit  a  stem,  or  to  be  smoked  without,  and  what  are  their 
shapes,  sizes,  and  ornaments?" 

Their  pipes  are  carved  out  of  stone,  steatite,  or  clay,  generally  so  formed  as  to  admit 
a  stem,  which  is  usually  a  piece  of  reed ;  they  vary  in  size  and  shape,  are  generally 
ornamented  by  some  animal  figure  in  high  I'elief  upon  the  bowl  or  stem,  or  both. 
The  weight  of  some  I  should  judge  to  be  six  or  eight  ounces. 

"41. —  How  many  kinds  were  there?     Describe  them." 

The  stone  pestle  and  mortar  I  noticed  particularly  among  the  Californian  Indians ; 


1  See  Mr.  Gibbs's  paper,  p.  174,  for  remarks  on  these  heaps  of  stone. 


HISTOEY,    AND    GOVERNMENT.  207 

the  latter  was  frequently  a  fixture  in  the  bed  of  the  mountain  streams,  where  holes 
had  been  worn  or  excavated  in  the  rocks,  arid  where  water  was  always  at  hand. 

Their  use  appeared  to  be  confined  principally  to  pulverizing  acorns,  roots,  and  seeds, 

for  the  manufacture  of  bread-stuffs. 

• 

"42. — MANUFACTURE  OF  DARTS,  &c.  "What  was  the  process  of  manipulation  of 
these  often  delicately  wrought  articles?  What  species  of  mineral  bodies  were 
chiefly  used  —  and  how  was  the  cleavage  of  them  effected  ?  Did  the  art  constitute 
a  separate  trade  or  employment  ?  If  darts  abound,  what  is  the  material  and  size  ? 
Do  they  differ  much  in  size  and  apparent  object,  some  being  for  war  and  others 
for  hunting ;  and  are  there  any  elongated  in  the  shape  of  spear-heads,  or  javelins  ? 
How  many  species  of  darts,  spears,  &c.,  were  there  ?  Describe  them,  and  give  figures 
of  the  size  and  descriptions  of  the  uses  of  them." 

Could  learn  nothing  satisfactory  in  relation  to  the  process  of  manipulation,  which  I 
was  most  anxious  to  do,  regarding  this  as  the  highest  order  of  art  that  I  discovered 
among  any  of  the  tribes  named.  As  many  of  their  arrows  are  not  armed,  I  should 
infer  that  one  kind  was  intended  for  war,  and  the  other  for  hunting  or  practice ;  their 
length  appears,  in  most  cases,  to  be  graduated  by  the  length  of  the  bow,  which  among 
these  tribes  seldom  exceeds  four  feet ;  the  material  most  used  is  the  wood  of  the  yew 
or  red-cedar,  the  strength  and  elasticity  of  which  is  considerably  increased  by  a 
covering  of  the  sinew  of  animals,  the  string  used  in  projecting  their  arrows  being  of 
the  same  material.1 

From  the  samples  of  arrows  already  furnished  you,  you  can  judge  of  the  material 
used  in  arming,  obsidian  being  most  common. 

Spears,  darts,  or  javelins  are  seldom  seen.  The  bow  and  arrow  is  almost  universally 
used  in  the  mountains,  while  the  tribes  on  the  sea-coast  are  beginning  to  adopt  our 
fire-arms. 

"63. —  How  were  accounts  formerly  kept ?  And  how  are  they  now  kept?  If  the 
terms  skin,  plue,  and  abiminiqua,  or  others,  are  employed  in  the  interior  trade  as 
synonymous,  and  as  the  standard  of  value,  in  which  accounts  are  kept,  what  is  the 
scale  of  the  computation  ?  " 

The  Hudson's  Bay  Company  had  established  certain  prices  for  certain  skins,  long 
previous  to  our  arrival  in  the  country ;  and  having  graduated  these  to  certain  articles 
of  exchange,  as,  for  example,  a  beaver-skin  equal  to  one  blanket,  &c.,  skins,  in  the 
absence  of  coin,  had  become  the  currency  of  the  country. 

Their  powers  of  computation,  so  far  as  my  opportunities  for  judging,  are  very  limited. 

"96. — Are  they  moral,  sober,  and  discreet?" 

Neither  "  moral "  nor  "  sober "  when  they  can  get  liquor  enough  to  get  drunk ; 
generally  "discreet"  in  other  things,  but  cannot  be  relied  on  as  a  rule. 

1  See  Mr.  Wyeth's  paper,  Vol.  I.,  for  n  description  and  plate  of  the  Oregon  bow. 


208  TRIBAL   ORGANIZATION, 

"  99. — Have  the  purposes  of  commerce,  since  the  discovery  of  the  continent,  had  the 
effect  to  stimulate  the  hunters  to  increased  exertion,  and  thus  to  hasten  the  diminu 
tion  or  destruction  of  the  races  of  animals  whose  furs  are  sought  ?  " 

Should  think  it  had,  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  having  found  it  necessary  to  make 
a  rule  to  forbid  the  Indians  killing  animals  while  young. 

"  100. — Have  the  different  races  of  animals  declined  rapidly  since  the  prosecution  of 
the  trade  ?  What  animals  flee  first,  or  diminish  in  the  highest  ratio,  on  the  opening 
of  a  new  district  of  the  remote  forest,  to  trade  ?  " 

They  have.     The  beaver  first  disappears  :  the  buffalo  is  not  found  in  this  country. 

"101. —  Are  the  lands,  when  denuded  of  furs,  of  comparatively  little  value  to  the 
Indians,  while  they  remain  in  the  hunter  state  ?  Is  not  the  sale  of  such  hunted  lands 
beneficial  to  them  ?  " 

Should  conclude  they  were,  from  their  always  following  the  game ;  and  under  such 
circumstances  a  sale  ought  certainly  to  benefit  them ;  and  it  will  of  course  depend 
very  much  upon  the  manner  the  equivalent  is  applied,  whether  it  does. 

"103.  —  If  the  diminution  or  failure  of  wild  animals  lead  the  native  tribes  to  turn 
their  industry  to  agriculture,  is  not  the  pressure  of  commerce  on  the  boundaries  of 
hunting  an  efficient  cause  in  the  progress  of  Indian  civilization  ?  " 

The  diminution  of  game,  or  failure  of  wild  animals  altogether,  would  not,  I  think, 
be  a  sufficient  stimulant  to  induce  these  tribes  to  cultivate  the  soil,  so  long  as  they  can 
procure  enough  fish,  roots,  or  berries,  to  subsist  upon. 

To  the  second  question,  I  answer  yes.     Third  question,  do. 

"  104. — What  evil  effects,  of  a  moral  character,  have  resulted  from  the  progress  of 
the  Indian  trade  ?  Has  not  the  traffic  in  ardent  spirits  been  by  far  the  most  fruitful, 
general,  and  appalling  cause  of  the  depopulation  of  the  tribes  ?  How  has  the  intro 
duction  of  gunpowder  and  fire-arms  affected  the  principles  of  the  trade,  and  what  has 
been  the  general  influence  of  this  new  element  of  the  means  of  destruction,  on  their 
history  and  civilization  ?  " 

The  introduction  of  liquor,  which,  although  a  fruitful  source  of  depopulation  among 
all  savages,  has  among  these  been  so  much  interdicted  by  the  wise  efforts  and  con 
trolling  influence  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  officers,  headed  by  Governor 
McLaughlin,  that  they  have  evidently  suffered  less  from  this  than  the  diseases  which 
they  attribute  to  the  whites. 

"  Gunpowder  and  fire-arms,"  although  much  sought  after  by  these  Indians,  more 
especially  those  having  frequent  intercourse  with  the  whites,  have  likewise  been  with 
held  from  them,  to  a  very  considerable  extent.  Hence  the  effect  has  principally  been, 


HISTORY,   AND    GOVERNMENT.  209 

in  adding  to  the  powers  of  the  former,  and  causing  the  latter  to  be  more  respectful 
and  cautious  in  their  intercourse.  To  this  consciousness  of  the  superiority  of  the 
whites,  or  their  fear  of  fire-arms,  I  attribute  having  passed  through  the  country  of 
four  hostile  tribes,  with  only  twenty-eight  fighting  men,  without  losing  one. 

After  an  interval  of  seven  years,  I  visit  this  southern  portion  of  my  route  again ; 
mingle  principally  among  the  tribes  inhabiting  the  Sierra  Nevada  mountains  and 
valley  of  the  Sacramento,  which  were  regarded  as  friendly.  The  gold  is  discovered — 
civilization  and  liquor  pour  into  the  country — collisions  between  the  white  and  red 
man,  and  murders,  become  common  —  and  while  but  a  week  in  the  mines,  have  seen 
parties  of  whites  going  out  with  their  rifles  to  hunt  Indians,  as  in  our  country  they 
are  in  the  habit  of  hunting  wolves  and  foxes. 

This  system,  faithfully  persevered  in  as  it  has  been  so  far,  will  soon  relieve  Congress 
of  legislating  in  their  behalf;  and  only  hasten  the  end,  which  all  history  teaches  us 
could  not  be  very  remote,  of  this  unfortunate  and  doomed  race. 

"  105. — Are  there  any  serious  or  valid  objections,  on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  to  the 
introduction  of  schools,  agriculture,  the  mechanic  arts,  or  Christianity  ?" 

I  did  not  hear  any  objections  raised,  on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  to  the  introduction 
of  schools,  agriculture,  the  mechanic  arts,  or  Christianity ;  but  with  the  example  of 
our  missionaries  before  them,  and  their  efforts  in  their  behalf,  but  little  had  been 
effected  up  to  the  time  of  our  visiting  the  country ;  and  such,  I  predict,  will  be  the 
result  to  the  end  of  time. 

"  10G. — What  improvements  can  you  suggest  in  the  existing  intercourse  laws  of  the 
United  States,  as  last  revised,  with  the  Indian  tribes  ?  Are  these  laws  efficient  in 
removing  causes  of  discord,  and  preserving  peace  between  the  advanced  bodies  of 
emigrants  or  settlers  on  the  frontiers,  and  the  Indian  tribes  ?  " 

I  believe  the  general  application  of  these  laws,  if  properly  enforced,  would  lead  to 
good  results ;  but  it  has  not  been  my  fortune  to  see  their  effect  upon  these  tribes. 

'•  111. — What  provisions  would  tend  more  effectually  to  shield  the  tribes  from  the 
introduction  of  ardent  spirits  into  their  territories,  and  from  the  pressure  of  lawless  or 
illicit  traffic?" 

I  know  of  no  law  that  will  be  likely  to  shield  these  Indians  from  the  introduction 
of  ardent  spirits,  so  long  as  it  is  used  by  the  whites.  The  operation  of  what  we  now 
call  the  "  Maine  Liquor  Law,"  among  those  claiming  the  advantages  of  civilization, 
aids  me  in  coming  to  this  conclusion. 

"112.  —  Is  there  any  feature  in  the  present  system  of  negotiation  with  the  tribes 
susceptible  of  amendment  and  improvement  ?  " 
PT.  III.  — 27 


210  TRIBAL   ORGANIZATION, 

What  justice  most  demands  for  these  Indians  is,  that  they  should  have  immediate 
protection  from  lawless  whites,  i.  e.  in  their  persons  or  lives;  they  require  none  in 
property,  for  they  have  none.  And  the  country  they  occupy  is,  at  the  farthest,  but  a 
temporary  home  for  them.  And  while  we  are  discussing  the  propriety  of  Indian 
agencies  and  treaties,  they  are  falling  by  tens,  fifties,  and  hundreds,  before  the  western 
rifle. 

A  war  of  extermination  has  been  declared  by  the  whites  of  Klarnath  against  the 
Indians  of  that  vicinity.  A  party  of  settlers  and  miners  surrounded  two  lodges  at 
Indian  Ferry,  and  shot  the  men  and  several  squaws,  and  destroyed  the  ranch,  thirty 
to  forty  Indians  having  been  killed. 

"  113. — Are  the  game,  and  wood,  and  timber,  of  the  tribes  subject  to  unnecessary  or 
injurious  curtailment  or  trespass  from  the  intrusion  of  emigrating  bands  abiding  for 
long  periods  on  their  territories  ?  Are  there  complaints  of  any  such  trespasses  ?  " 

Think  it  quite  possible  —  had  not  been  —  heard  none. 

"119.  —  What  ideas  have  the  Indians  of  property  ?  " 

They  appear  to  have  a  distinct  idea  of  their  rights  to  territory  and  personal 
property ;  but  I  cannot  go  farther  into  this  subject.  In  saying  they  have  no  property, 
as  in  my  answer  to  question  112,  I  speak  of  them  generally;  some  few  have  horses, 
others  canoes,  &c. ;  but  the  masses  can  carry  all  of  their  personal  estate  upon  their 
backs  without  much  inconvenience. 

"  159.  —  Are  the  ties  of  consanguinity  strong?" 

I  had  but  few  opportunities  of  judging  of  their  ties  of  consanguinity,  as  my  inter 
course  was  almost  altogether  with  the  men  separated  from  their  families.  But  from 
the  fact  that  one  of  the  hired  men  of  my  party,  who  had  an  Indian  wife,  purchased  a 
little  squaw,  about  eight  years  of  age,  from  her  parents  for  two  blankets,  I  infer  that 
they  are  not  always  very  strong.  I  merely  mention  this  as  a  fact ;  not  that  I  believe 
it  to  be  a  fair  criterion  of  the  general  estimate  in  which  they  hold  their  offspring. 

"160. — Does  the  hunter  state  insure  abundance  of  food  and  clothing  to  the  family? 
How  is  this  state,  in  its  domestic  bearings,  affected  by  polygamy,  and  what  are  the 
terms  and  relative  affections  of  stepmothers  and  children  ?  Are  wives  well  treated 
under  the  actual  state  of  the  hunter  life  ?  Are  they  ever  interfered  with  in  the  house 
hold  affairs,  and  management  of  the  domestic  economy  ?  Do  they  participate,  in  any 
degree,  in  the  hunter's  vocation,  or  forest  labors,  and  to  what  extent  ? " 

Between  hunting  and  fishing,  I  not  only  believe  that  the  country  generally  through 
which  I  passed  will  furnish  sustenance  for  the  Indians  occupying  it,  but  with  their 
natural  indolence,  the  very  exercise  necessary  for  obtaining  this  will  best  promote 
their  health.  My  party  lived  principally  on  game  for  two  months ;  and  I  seldom  sent 


HISTORY,   AND   GOVERNMENT.  211 

out  a  hunter  until  after  we  had  encamped  in  the  evening.  At  one  camp  on  the 
Sacramento,  six  grizzly  bears  and  two  deer  were  shot.  It  is  true,  game  will  soon 
disappear  as  the  country  becomes  settled  ;  and  so  will  the  Indians. 

Clothing  they  rarely  trouble  themselves  with ;  and  when  they  do,  it  is  generally 
some  old  cast-off  garment,  or  skin,  that  rather  disfigures  them  than  otherwise. 

Although  I  understood  their  laws  punish  infidelity  in  their  wives  with  death,  I  was 
told  that  polygamy  among  their  chiefs  was  not  uncommon. 

So  far  as  I  could  learn,  their  general  treatment  to  their  wives  is  kind ;  and  they 
are  not  interfered  with  in  their  household  affairs ;  but  they  are  expected  to  perform  a 
good  share  of  forest  labors,  and  assist  in  preparing  the  winter's  stock  of  food. 

See  answer  to  next  question. 

"161. — Are  the  labors  of  husband  and  wife  equally  or  unequally  divided?" 

The  labor  of  husband  and  wife,  so  far  as  I  could  judge  among  these  tribes,  operates 
the  reverse  of  what  it  usually  does  in  civilized  life.  The  latter,  independent  of  the 
usual  household  duties,  goes  into  the  fields  to  collect  seeds,  roots,  acorns,  &c.,  and  not 
unfrequently  joins  the  husband  in  piscatory  excursions,  besides  occupying  her  leisure 
time  in  preparing  the  winter  supply  of  food. 

Hence  I  infer  that  these  savages  are  no  exception  to  the  rule  that,  generally,  obtains 
elsewhere  among  their  race,  in  exacting  a  full,  if  not  unequal  share,  of  labor  from  their 
wives. 

The  males,  I  believe,  in  all  instances,  manufacture  their  hunting  and  war  imple 
ments,  including  their  canoes ;  while  the  females  manufacture  fish-nets,  baskets,  mats. 
&c.  I  am  unable  to  say  how  far  the  latter  are  permitted  to  take  part  in  the  councils  of 
the  nation.  I  have  seen  them  congregated  in  squads,  and  busily  employed  in  pounding 
acorns,  and  preparing  their  winter's  food,  while  all  the  males  of  the  tribe,  including 
boys,  were  painted  and  armed,  waiting  an  expected  attack  from  a  neighboring  4ribe. 

"164. — Are  their  appetites  regular  or  capricious,  admitting  of  great  powers  both  of 
abstinence  and  of  repletion  ?  " 

Never  saw  them  refuse  anything  good  to  eat ;  from  what  I  heard,  more  than  from 
my  own  observation,  believe  they  possess  great  powers  of  abstinence  and  repletion. 

"  168. — Are  the  changes  of  location,  fatigue,  cold,  and  exposure  to  the  vicissitudes  of 
climate,  felt  in  the  general  result  of  Indian  population  ?  What  is  the  highest  number 
of  children  born  ?  Are  twins  common  ?  " 

Learned  but  little  in  relation  to  courtship  and  marriage ;  should  judge  that  barren 
ness  was  not  unfrequent,  that  twins  were  very  uncommon,  and  that  the  general  average 
of  families  did  not  exceed  two  children ;  all  of  which  I  should  attribute,  in  a  great 
degree,  to  their  precarious  and  exposed  mode  of  life,  in  connection  with  the  vicissitudes 


212  TRIBAL    ORGANIZATION, 

of  climate,  &c.,  and  to  this  may  be  added  the  unusual  custom  of  the  mother  in  weaning 
her  children. 

"169. — Are  strangers  announced  before  reaching  the  lodge,  and  how  are  visits 
ordered?  Do  parties  of  Indians  stop  at  a  short  distance,  and  send  word  of  their 
intended  visit  ?  " 

Among  the  friendly  tribes,  Indians  visited  our  camp  without  any  ceremony  or 
previous  invitation;  but  among  the  hostile  tribes,  they  usually  despatched  one  or 
more,  unarmed,  to  solicit  or  make  known  their  wants.  I  recollect  a  green  bush  was 
held  up,  upon  one  occasion,  as  an  emblem  of  peace. 

"  172.  —  Has  the  wife  or  husband  the  right  of  divorce  ?  " 

Have  been  informed  that  divorces  might  be  effected  upon  the  mutual  consent  of  the 
parties. 

"173. — At  what  age  are  children  weaned?" 

Children  are  sometimes  not  weaned  until  they  are  five  years  of  age. 

"  173. — Is  the  domestic  government  left  wholly  to  Indian  mothers?" 
The  domestic  government  of  children  is  left  wholly  with  the  mother. 

"  177. — What  are  the  effects  of  the  introduction  and  use  of  ardent  spirits  in  the 
lodge,  in  deranging  its  order  ?" 

The  introduction  of  ardent  spirits  among  these  people  is  every  way  fatal  to  their 
peace,  health,  and  happiness,  and  will  finally  prove  one  of  the  fruitful  causes  of  their 
depopulation. 

"  179. — Have  they  degenerated  into  any  customs  or  practices  revolting  to  humanity? 
Do  they  eat  human  flesh,  upon  any  occasion ;  and  if  so,  under  what  circumstances  ?" 
Saw  no  evidences  of  cannibalism,  nor  practices  revolting  to  humanity. 

"  184. — What  is  the  Indian  mode  of  salutation  ?" 

The  only  form  of  greeting  I  observed  was  the  shaking  of  hands,  which  I  believe  to 
be  imitation  of  the  whites. 

"187. — Is  stoicism  of  feeling  deemed  a  mark  of  manliness  by  the  Indians?" 
In  common  with  the  Indian  race  generally,  stoicism  and  taciturnity  are  among  the 
characteristics  of  these  people,  but  in  a  less  degree  to  the  north  than  the  south. 

"  188. — Is  there  extreme  acuteness  of  the  senses,  and  a  nervous  power  of  appreciating 
the  nearness,  or  relative  position  of  objects  ?  These  have  excited  general  notice,  but 
the  subject  is  still  a  matter  of  curiosity  and  further  information." 


HISTORY,   AND    GOVERNMENT.  213 

Quickness  of  sight,  &c.  One  example.  When  we  had  progressed  about  half-way 
in  our  journey,  and  arrived  in  a  mountainous  portion  of  the  country,  where  there  was 
not  the  least  sign  of  a  path  or  trail  to  guide  us,  there  arose  some  discussion  among  the 
pioneers  of  the  party  as  to  which  was  the  right  way.  Not  agreeing,  it  was  finally  left 
to  an  Indian  woman  who  was  the  wife  of  one  of  the  trappers  belonging  to  my  party ; 
and  who,  with  her  husband,  had,  several  years  previously,  accompanied  a  party  of  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company,  through  this  portion  of  the  country.  She  did  not  hesitate  a 
moment  in  pointing  out  the  right  way ;  and  as  an  evidence  that  she  knew  where  she 
was,  she  pointed  to  a  crotched  tree  not  far  off,  where  she  had  placed  a  small  stone 
some  years  previous  as  a  land-mark ;  then  riding  up  to  the  tree,  produced  the  same. 

"  189. — Are  the  Indians  very  prone  to  be  deceived  by  professed  dreamers,  or  the 
tricks  of  jugglers,  or  by  phenomena  of  nature,  of  the  principles  and  causes  of  which 
they  are  ignorant  ?  " 

They  are  very  superstitious,  and  liable  to  be  deceived  by  jugglers  or  professed 
dreamers ;  but  I  very  much  question  if  they  are  more  thoroughly  bamboozled  and 
mystified  than  a  large  portion  of  our  own  people  are  by  another  set  of  jugglers,  who 
practise  their  art  and  make  their  living  surrounded  by  all  the  intelligence  and  civiliza 
tion  of  the  age. 

"190.  —  How  do  their  physical  powers  compare  with  the  strength  of  Europeans?" 
The  physical  powers  of  some  of  the  mountain  tribes,  whose  muscles  are  considerably 
exercised,  I  should  think  would  compare  very  favorably  with  those  of  Europeans. 
The  prairie  tribes  are  very  inferior  in  this  respect ;  but  few  of  either  knowing  anything 
of  the  use  of  the  axe  or  scythe.     The  men  fast  and  endure  fatigue  well. 

"191.  —  How  is  still  hunting  performed?" 

Still  hunting  is  usually  performed  by  first  getting  to  leeward  of  the  game,  and 
hunting  to  windward,  as  among  many  whites. 

"  193. —  How  is  the  antelope  approached  ?  " 

The  deer  and  antelope  are  frequently  decoyed  within  the  reach  of  their  arrows,  by 
an  Indian  secreting  himself  in  the  grass  and  then  crawling  towards  the  game,  exhib 
iting  only  a  small  object  on  the  end  of  a  stick. 

They  also  build  large  circular  pens  of  bushes,  having  an  entrance,  to  entrap  large 
animals.  Some  that  we  saw,  we  concluded  were  constructed  for  wild  cattle;  and 
others,  leaving  a  small  outlet  opposite  to  the  entrance,  we  presume  were  intended 
for  rabbits. 

"194.  —  MODE  OF  DRYING  AND  CURING  SKINS.     This  is  a  very  important  branch  ol 


214  TRIBAL   ORGANIZATION, 

the  hunter's  art,  and  it  would  be  interesting  to  know  the  process,  the  various  methods, 
and  the  amount  of  labor  and  time  required." 

The  only  process  of  preparing  skins  that  I  witnessed,  was  in  smoking  deer-skins 
which  had  been  previously  cured.  This  was  accomplished  by  spreading  them  on  sticks 
placed  over  a  hole  dug  in  the  ground,  at  the  bottom  of  which  a  slow  fire  had  been 
previously  kindled. 

After  keeping  them  in  this  position,  and  exposing  both  sides  to  the  smoke 
for  two  days,  they  were  then  considered  suitable  to  be  made  into  clothing ;  of  which 
several  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  party  obtained  suits  before  leaving  Oregon ;  the 
object  of  smoking  being  to  counteract  the  shrinkage  in  case  of  drying,  after  they  have 
been  wet  by  rain  or  in  washing. 

"195. — How  many  modes  have  they  of  taking  fish?" 

They  catch  fish  by  constructing  weirs  and  dams,  by  scoop-nets,  spearing,  and  by 
firing  their  arrows  into  them.  In  the  running  season,  several  tribes  are  in  the  habit 
of  assembling  at  the  Willamette  Falls,  for  the  purpose  of  laying  in  a  supply  for  the 
season.  They  rig  out  planks  and  pieces  of  timber  just  below  the  fulls,  upon  which 
they  stand  and  catch  the  salmon  in  their  scoop-nets,  as  they  flirt  out  of  the  water  in 
their  attempts  to  overcome  the  cascade. 

Their  success  with  the  bow  and  arrow,  in  this  particular,  may  perhaps  be  regarded 
as  demonstrating  something  more  than  mere  physical  skill  in  the  use  of  this  weapon. 

Their  spear,  or  fish-gig,  is  something  like  the  following  —  not  always  straight — 


a  split  or  crotched  pole,  from  ten  to  twenty  feet  long,  armed  at  the  spear  end  with 
deer's  horn ;  which  is  intended  to  slip  off  the  ends  of  the  spear  after  they  have  entered 
the  fish,  when  they  are  held  by  a  lanyard  attached  to  the  pole  just  above  the  crotch, 
and  by  this  means  secure  the  fish  as  by  a  toggle. 

"196.  —  Are  the  arts  of  hunting  taught  the  children  at  an  early  age?  Do  they 
commence  with  archery  ?  And  at  what  age  are  the  boys  generally  competent  to 
engage  in  the  active  labors  of  the  chase  ?  Have  women,  thus  left  alone,  or  deserted, 
ever  been  known  to  practise  the  use  of  fire-arms  ?" 

Archery  is  taught  the  Indian  boys  when  young ;  I  have  seen  those  whom  I  did 
not  believe  over  twelve  years  of  age,  very  expert  with  the  bow.  I  have  also  seen 
them,  at  about  this  age,  armed  and  painted  for  war.  Some  Indian  women  belonging 


HISTORY,    AND    GOVERNMENT.  215 

to  my  party  carried  fire-arms,  as  well  as  their  husbands ;  and  whenever  we  came  to  a 
bad  place,  where  it  was  suspected  Indians  might  be  lying  in  wait  for  us,  they  took  the 
precaution  to  examine  their  flint  and  priming. 

y 

"197. — What  is  the  present  state  of  the  arms  and  implements  used  by  the  hunters 
of  the  tribe  ?  Have  they  abandoned  the  bow  and  arrows,  partially  or  altogether  ?  Do 
they  use  the  gun  or  rifle,  in  hunting  deer  or  buffalo  ?  Are  they  well  supplied  with 
ammunition,  and  at  reasonable  rates  ?" 

Some  of  the  tribes  about  the  Columbia  appear  to  have  abandoned  their  own,  and 
substituted  fire-arms ;  but  these  have  been  but  little  used,  owing  partly  to  a  scarcity 
of  ammunition,  and  there  being  no  necessity  of  their  depending  altogether  upon  them 
for  their  subsistence. 

"198.  —  How  are  war-parties  raised,  subsisted,  and  marched?" 

In  regard  to  raising  war-parties,  I  can  only  cite  one  instance,  where  it  was  accom 
plished  in  sight  of  our  camp,  by  getting  up  a  war-dance ;  which  took  place  in  the 
Rogue  country,  around  a  large  fire,  and  lasted  most  of  the  night;  resulting  in  their 
ambushing  next  morning,  and  final  dispersion  upon  the  near  approach  of  the  party. 

"199.  —  How  is  the  march  of  the  party  conducted  after  they  are  assembled?  Do 
they  move  in  a  body,  or  separately  in  files  or  sub-parties  ?" 

Have  several  times  seen  them  in  large  bodies,  without  any  particular  order  (unless 
it  be  no  particular  order)  in  marching;  from  their  trails,  I  should  judge  they  generally 
confine  themselves  to  the  order  of  single  file.  Sentinels  were  posted,  when  we 
encamped  near  their  village  on  the  head  waters  of  the  Sacramento. 

"  200. — To  what  extent  do  the  chiefs  exercise  the  duties  and  rights  of  officers  ?" 
Chiefs  evidently  command,  with  the  assistance  of  aids,  or  runners ;  but  I  could  not 

discover  evidences  of  any  great  degree  of  subordination  and  discipline  among  any  of 

the  tribes. 

"201.  —  What  are  the  usual  devices  of  attack  resorted  to?  What  are  the  usual 
manoeuvres  ?" 

Their  usual  mode  of  attacking  parties  of  whites,  in  which  they  have  several  times 
been  successful,  has  either  been  by  first  straying  in  and  about  their  camp  in  large 
numbers,  unarmed,  but  pretending  friendship,  and  watching  for  the  first  favorable 
opportunity  to  seize  upon  and  massacre  the  whole. 

Or  to  select  the  most  favorable  time  and  place  to  secrete  themselves  in  ambush,  and 
rise  upon,  and  fire  into,  the  party  at  a  time  most  favorable  to  create  terror  and 
confusion,  and,  if  possible,  to  separate  the  animals  from  their  owners ;  to  do  which  I 


216 


TRIBAL   ORGANIZATION, 


am  told  that  they  usually  wait  until  about  one  half  of  the  party  have  got  past,  when 
they  let  fly  their  arrows,  utter  an  indescribable  yell,  shake  dried  skins,  &c.  &c.,  and  in 
this  way  usually  secure  many  of  the  horses  and  packs,  if  they  fail  in  destroying  the 
party.  » 

I  could  not  learn  that  they  had  ever  made  a  night  attack. 

"  203. — Is  personal  servitude  recognised  ?  Are  there  any  persons,  who,  having  lost 
their  liberty,  or  forfeited  their  lives,  are  reduced  to  slavery,  or  placed  in  the  relative 
position  of  peons,  or  menials,  who  are  compelled  to  work,  and  carry  burdens?" 

They  have  their  slaves,  male  and  female,  who  may,  or  may  not,  be  captives,  and 
whose  relative  position,  I  have  been  told,  is  much  the  same  as  that  of  a  similar  class 
among  us,  or  the  peons  of  Mexico. 

"  205.  —  What  constitutes  the  ordinary  dress  of  warriors,  on  a  war  excursion  ? 
What  paints  are  used,  and  how  are  they  applied  to  different  parts  of  the  person  ? 
What  feathers  are  worn  on  the  head,  as  marks  of  former  triumphs  ?  How  is  the  hair 
dressed?" 

For  war  costume,  paint  is  freely  used,  the  color  principally  red,  applied  to  the  face, 
arms,  and  chest.  Feathers  and  leaves  are  also  used  to  decorate  the  head.  Some,  I 
think,  had  the  hair  tied  up  in  a  knot ;  but  my  memory  will  not  now  permit  me  to 
enter  into  particulars ;  although  these  remarks,  I  believe,  have  a  general  application,  I 

cannot,  of  my  own  knowledge,  apply  them  but  to 
one  tribe  that  I  saw  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  mountains, 
some  of  whom  were  partially  clad,  while  others 
were  entirely  naked.  Some  of  these  northern  tribes 
wear,  for  their  dress,  a  jacket  of  mail,  something 
like  the  annexed  cut,  which  covers  them  in  front, 

^vVa^ia^CU       ,»        and  affords  protection  against  arrows  to  the  most 
•    p==*w'=3Q3«=£3=M5>  /j/  j        vital  portion  of  their  bodies. 

It   is  composed  of  thin  parallel  battens  of  very 
tough  wood,  woven  together  by  a  small  cord ;  with 
arm-holes,  and  strings  at  the  bottom  corners,  to  fasten  it  around  the  waist. 

"  207. — How  have  these  varied  in  the  lapse  of  time  ?  Are  fire-arms  substituted  for 
the  bow  and  arrow  in  war,  as  they  are  supposed  to  be,  generally,  in  hunting  ?  Are 
war-clubs,  tomahawks,  and  knives,  employed  ?  " 

Fire-arms  are  already  substituted  among  the  tribes  having  frequent  intercourse  with 
the  whites.  Knives  are  used.  Saw  no  war-clubs  nor  tomahawks. 

"208.  —  Is  dancing  a  national  trait  of  the  tribe?  Is  it  confined  to  males?  How 
many  kinds  of  dances  are  there  ?  " 


HISTORY,   AND   GOVERNMENT.  217 

Saw  but  one  war-dance,  and  one  dance  of  honor.  The  first 
was  among  the  Rogue  Indians,  and  has  already  been  alluded 
to ;  the  latter  was  performed  by  Indian  boys,  on  the  banks  of 
the  Sacramento,  in  honor  of  our  arrival;  the  latter  were 
entirely  naked,  and  averaging  about  twelve  years  each.  Upon 
their  body  they  had  a  variety  of  white  chalk  marks  in  front, 
something  like  those  represented  in  the  annexed  cut.  Think 
dancing  was  a  characteristic  mode  of  expressing  popular 
feeling  among  all  of  these  tribes.  I  did  not  hear  of  females 
being  permitted  to  join  in  any  of  their  dances. 

"  210.  —  How  many  kinds  of  games  of  chance  exist  ?  Is 
the  tribe  much  addicted  to  these  games  ?  " 

There  are  games  of  chance,  where  small  sticks  are  used.  I  have  only  seen  it 
practised  by  the  males.  The  Valley  Indians,  and  more  particularly  to  the  south,  I 
think,  are  addicted  to  gambling.  Never  learned  the  modus  operandi. 

"  211. — DEATHS  AND  BURIALS.  What  are  the  characteristic  facts  connected  with  these 
subjects?  When  a  person  dies,  how  is  the  corpse  dressed  and  disposed  of?" 

The  custom  appears  very  general  among  the  Oregon  tribes,  when  burying  their 
dead,  to  deposit  with  the  corpse,  or  upon  a  stick  or  pole  alongside  of  it,  some 
implement  or  utensil  formerly  used  by  the  deceased;  but  as  these  relics  are  above 
ground,  and  perishable,  they  do  not  afford  a  means  of  judging  of  the  state  of  the  arts 
far  back. 

High  and  dry  places  are  usually  selected  for  burying-grounds.  The  bodies  of  some 
of  the  tribes  on  the  Columbia  river  were  placed  in  the  bottom  of  canoes,  in  a  prostrate 
posture,  and  then  covered  over  with  poles  and  pieces  of  split  wood ;  after  which  the 
canoe  was  elevated  from  three  to  four  feet  above  the  ground,  and  then  supported  upon 
a  scaffold ;  the  direction  of  the  canoe,  or  body,  lying  east  and  west,  as  near  as  I  can 
recollect. 

"  212. — Are  burials  usually  made  in  high  and  dry  grounds  ?  Are  the  bodies  buried 
east  and  west ;  and  if  so,  what  reason  is  assigned  for  this  custom  ?" 

I  noticed  one  or  more  exceptions  to  this  general  rule  of  selecting  a  high  and  promi 
nent  position  for  a  burying-ground.  Here,  the  bodies  appeared  to  have  been  deposited 
upon  the  surface  of  the  earth  in  a  prostrate  position,  without  any  reference  to  the 
cardinal  points  of  the  compass,  that  I  could  discover,  and  then  covered  over  with 
brush  and  poles ;  but  not  sufficiently  to  afford  sure  protection  from  the  wild  animal? 
of  the  country,  or  carnivorous  birds. 
PT.  III.  — 28 


218  TRIBAL    ORGANIZATION, 

"227.  —  What  are  the  materials,  form,  size,  and  mode  of  construction,  of  their 
lodges  ?" 

Some  of  the  tents  or  lodges  about  the  Columbia,  were  constructed  of  upright  posts, 
or  pieces  of  split  timber,  and  covered  with  skins. 

Those  in  southern  Oregon,  and  western  California,  were  much  more  slightly  con 
structed —  generally  of  poles,  sometimes  lying  horizontally  upon  one  another;  at 
others,  forming  a  semi-circle,  with  both  ends  in  the  earth ; J  and  again,  by  meeting  at 
angles,  to  form  a  cone  when  in  an  upright  position.  All  quite  circumscribed  in  their 
dimensions,  with  a  covering  of  poles  and  bushes ;  which  must  afford  but  poor  shelter 
in  the  rainy  seasons,  and  require  frequent  renewing. 

"228.  —  Of  what  material  are  canoes  or  boats  made,  how  are  they  constructed,  and 
what  is  their  usual  capacity  ?" 

All  that  I  saw  were  made  from  one  tree  —  dug  out,  and  sharpened  at  either  end. 
Those  in  Oregon  were  usually  made  from  the  pine  tree,  and  some  of  them  were  large 
enough  to  carry  twenty  men. 

Those  in  California  were  made  from  the  pine,  sycamore,  and  cotton-wood  trees; 
about  half  the  size,  seldom  so  well  finished,  and  never  so  well  modelled,  as  the  former. 
The  larger  canoes  on  the  Columbia  are  sometimes  propelled  by  short  oars ;  all  the 
others,  by  paddles  which  have  long  handles  and  short  blades,  and  are  steered  by  the 
same.  All  those  I  saw  were  probably  excavated  with  modern  implements  obtained 
from  the  whites. 

Those  on  the  Rogue  river  were  very  roughly  built  —  some  of  them  scow  fashion, 
with  flat  bottoms.  Among  the  Klamats,  a  bunch  of  bulrushes  was  used  as  a  substi 
tute,  lashed  up  in  the  shape  of  a  sailor's  hammock,  but  considerably  larger;  upon 
which  I  take  for  granted  the  Indian  sits  astride,  and  makes  use  of  it  principally  in 
spearing  fish. 

"  230.  —  Is  raw  meat  ever  eaten?  Do  they  use  metallic  cooking  vessels,  generally, 
and  if  so,  what  kinds  ?" 

They  generally  cook  both  meat  and  fish;  have  been  told  that  they  have  been 
known  to  eat  both  raw. 

They  begin  to  use  metallic  cooking-vessels  about  the  Columbia.  Their  mode  of  life 
must  make  them  irregular  in  their  meals  generally. 

"231. —  Method  of  curing  meats?" 

They  dry  meat  by  cutting  it  in  thin  slices,  and  placing  it  on  horizontal  poles  several 
leet  above  the  earth ;  and  in  smoking  it,  have  then  only  to  build  a  fire  underneath. 


1  See  a  drawing  in  Vol.  V.  Exploring  Expedition,  p.  250. 


HISTORY,    AND   GOVERNMENT.  219 

Their  fish  is  cured  very  much  in  the  same  way ;  after  which  it  is  pounded  quite 
fine,  and  closely  packed,  to  be  used  upon  certain  occasions,  and  for  their  winter's 
supply. 

"232.  —  To  what  extent  do  the  purely  hunter  tribes  rely  on  these?     Give  a  cata 
logue  of  them,  denoting  the  various  kinds  of  roots,  truffles,  berries,  and  nuts  relied  on." 
Among  the  roots  most  used,  are  the  kamass  and  bulrush. 

nuts  "  acorns  and  hazel-nuts. 

((  ,  [  arbutus,  service,  whortle,  and  cranberries,  black, 

\  straw,  rasp,  and  goose-berries, 
seeds  pine  cone,  grass,  &c., 

and  doubtless  many  others  I  know  not  of.  Fox  grapes  may  be  added  to  the  above 
list ;  and  in  seasons  of  great  scarcity,  I  have  been  told,  they  resort  to  certain  barks. 
With  a  moderate  degree  of  industry,  there  would  be  no  occasion  for  the  last  resort  in 
the  country  through  which  I  passed. 

"234.  —  What  is  the  ordinary  dress  of  the  tribe,  male  and  female?" 

The  ordinary  dress  of  the  tribes  having  frequent  communication  with  the  whites, 
particularly  in  north  Oregon,  was  a  mixture  of  coarse  cloth,  skins,  old  cast-off 
garments,  and  blankets  which  only  covered  a  portion  of  their  bodies,  and  set  loosely 
iipon  their  persons.1  Going  south  from  here,  the  amount  of  clothing  diminishes;  so 
that  before  you  leave  the  Callapuya  country,  you  frequently  see  the  males  with  only  a 
covering  amidships.  Continuing  south  until  you  arrive  among  the  Umpquas,  even 
this  last  excuse  for  a  covering  generally  disappears ;  and  you  find  them  as  nature  has 
endowed  them,  apparently  unconscious  of  what  to  us  appears  improper  in  such  an 
expose". 

The  females,  however,  appear  more  modest  and  shy,  do  not  expose  themselves 
unnecessarily ;  and  those  who  have  arrived  at  the  age  of  puberty  are  seldom  seen 
without  some  covering,  extending  from  a  little  above  to  just  below  their  hips,  and 
equivalent  to  what  is  usually  termed  a  "  maro."  This  generally  consists  of  a  tasselled 
belt,  made  of  bark,  grass,  and  feathers,  &c.,  that  encircles  the  body  just  above  the  hips, 
and  answers  admirably  for  the  purpose  intended. 

With  the  addition  of  a  little  tattooing,  or  an  occasional  daub  of  paint,  nudity 
continues  fashionable,  until  you  arrive  again  within  the  influence  of  the  whites  on  the 
Sacramento,  which  at  this  time  did  not  extend  above  Captain  Sutter's,  or  navigable 
waters. 

"  235. — Are  there  any  other  peculiar  adaptations  of  dress  to  varying  circumstances? 
Are  there  summer  and  winter  dresses  ?" 

1  Specimen  of  the  Callapuya  tribe,  5th  vol.  Exploring  Expedition,  p.  223 


220  TRIBAL   ORGANIZATION, 

About  the  Columbia,  the  thick  blanket  is  worn  in  the  summer  as  well  as  winter;  and 
farther  south,  I  should  think,  some  covering  would  be  found  almost  as  necessary  in 
protecting  them  from  the  sun's  rays  in  the  summer,  as  from  the  cold  blasts  in  the 
winter ;  but  from  the  preceding  answer  it  will  be  seen  they  seldom  provide  against 
either. 

"236. — Do  they  attach  a  peculiar  value  to  ornaments?  What  kinds  of  ornaments 
are  most  desired  ?" 

They  appear  to  value  ornaments,  although  they  exhibit  but  few.  Among  those 
worn  are  feathers  of  different  colors,  beads,  buttons,  porcupine  quills,  rings,  bracelets, 
and  shells. 

The  latter,  I  was  told,  constitutes  a  kind  of  currency  among  them.  Some  puncture 
the  lobes  of  their  ears,  and  others,  but  more  rarely,  the  central  or  cartilagineous 
portion  of  their  nasal  organ,  for  the  purpose  of  suspending  some  ornament. 

"  237. — Are  there  any  native  dye-stuffs,  or  roots  or  vegetables,  employed  in  coloring 
parts  of  their  clothing,  or  ornaments  ?" 

They  use. paints,  dyes,  and  ochres,  or  colored  clays,  either  upon  their  persons,  dress, 
or  implements. 

Some  of  them  tattoo  their  faces,  as  well  as  their  arms  and  breasts ; '  this  habit  is  not 
confined  entirely  to  the  male,  but,  so  far  as  I  could  see,  is,  to  adults,  much  the  most 
common  with  the  males,  and  less  so  with  either  sex  than  among  the  nations  of  the 
Pacific  islands  generally. 

" 239. — What  are  the  customs  and  fashions  of  wearing  the  hair  and  beard?  Is  the 
whole  head  shaved  ?  Is  the  beard  generally  extirpated  by  the  tweezers,  or  other 
mechanical  means?" 

Hair  generally  worn  long,  but  not  unfrequently  tied  up  in  a  bunch :  have  seen  it 
cut  quite  close  on  some  of  their  boys.  Beard  very  uncommon ;  suppose  it  to  have 
been  extirpated  by  some  mechanical  means. 

"241. — What  is  the  general  scope  and  capacity  of  the  Indian  mind,  as  compared 
with  other  stocks  of  the  human  race  ?" 

In  regard  to  their  mental  capacity,  believe  them  generally  inferior  to  the  tribes  east 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  but  superior  to  some  tribes  in  South  America;  for  more 
reliable  data  and  particulars  upon  this  subject,  which  I  had  but  little  opportunity  of 
following  up,  I  must  again  refer  to  the  notes  or  work  of  Mr.  Hale,  the  Philologist  of 
the  Exploring  Expedition,  which  I  have  not  yet  seen,  but  presume  it  must  convey 
Rome  valuable  information  upon  this  subject,  and  others  that  I  must  pass  over. 

'  See  a  specimen  in  5th  vol.  Exploring  Expedition,  page  242. 


HISTORY,   AND  GOVERNMENT.  221 

"258.  —  How  far  has  knowledge,  art,  and  commerce,  and  the  general  progress  of 
civilization,  affected  the  improvement  of  the  Indians,  and  changed  or  modified  their 
original  manners,  customs,  and  opinions  ?  " 

The  effect  of  semi-civilization  among  some  of  these  Indians,  resulting  from  frequent 
intercourse  among  the  whites,  appeared  to  me  to  have  produced  but  little  other  change 
than  that  of  dress,  and  a  more  tame  and  friendly  feeling  toward  the  whites. 

And  when  opposed  to  this,  you  throw  in  liquor  and  some  other  of  the  refinements 
attending  civilization,  it  may  be  a  question  with  some  whether  it  would  not  have  been 
better  for  them  to  have  lived  and  died  in  their  savage  state. 

This  reflection  forces  itself  upon  me,  as  from  day  to  day  I  now  read  of  the  continual 
murders  and  massacres  among  these  same  people. 

Only  to-day  150  are  reported  to  have  been  massacred  by  the  whites  in  the  "  Shaste" " 
country. 

"259. — "What  are  the  prominent  effects,  physical  and  intellectual,  of  the  inter 
mixture,  by  marriage,  between  the  European  and  Indian  races  ?  Has  the  tribe  been 
much  affected  by  such  intermarriages  ?  " 

Not  affected  by  amalgamation  with  the  whites. 

The  few  white  trappers  who  had  Indian  wives  had  generally  taken  them  from  the 
tribes  farther  east,  and  their  children  were  yet  young. 

"  260. — What  is  the  present  rate  of  progress  of  population  of  the  tribe,  compared  with 
former  periods  ?  Are  they  advancing  or  receding  ?" 

From  causes  already  alluded  to,  I  believe  they  are  rapidly  diminishing  in  numbers, 
that  they  cannot  keep  up  their  tribal  organization  many  years  longer,  and  if  not 
removed,  or  reinforced  by  bands  lying  east  of  them,  that  very  few  will  be  found  alive 
in  1870. 

"262.  —  What  general  changes  have  taken  place  in  regard  to  costume  and  clean 
liness,  in  the  tribe,  and  in  their  habits  or  modes  of  living,  and  general  housewifery  ?" 
See  answer  to  question  258. 

"  263. — Is  this  test  of  the  barbaric  or  hunter  state  still  tolerated;  and  if  so,  to  what 
extent  ?" 

See  answer  to  question  161. 

"264. — What  is  the  present  state  of  the  tribe  in  respect  to  Christianity?" 
The  tribes  in  the  Willamette  valley,  and  about  the  Columbia,  from  Astoria  to  Walla 
Walla,   have   several   years   enjoyed    the    advantages    of    Christian    teachers,    both 
Protestant  and  Catholic :  up  to  the  time  of  my  visiting  the  country,  they  had  been  but 


222  TRIBAL    ORGANIZATION, 

a  few  years  operating,  and  very  little  had  been  accomplished ;  if  they  have  been  more 
successful  since,  the  result  will,  I  presume,  be  made  known  through  reliable  sources ; 
civilization,  with  its  concomitants,  has  perhaps  thrown  as  many  obstacles  as  aids  in 
their  way  of  accomplishing  good. 

"  265. — Are  the  principles  of  temperance,  in  the  use  of  ardent  spirits,  on  the  increase 
or  decrease  ?" 

The  principles  of  temperance,  which  at  one  time  Avere  so  much  encouraged  in  Oregon 
by  the  Hudson  Bay  Company's  officers,  have  been  very  much  neglected  with  the 
increase  of  population  and  confusion  growing  out  of  the  gold  discovery,  and  it  appears 
quite  problematical  if  liquor  will  be  again  interdicted  while  the  Indian  lives. 

"266. — What  are  the  prominent  facts  in  relation  to  the  cause  of  education,  in 
reclaiming  and  exalting  the  tribe  ?  What  means  have  been  found  most  effective  in 
the  education  of  their  children  and  youth  ?  Have  females  duly  participated  in  these 
means,  and  has  any  part  of  such  means  been  applied  to  such  branches  as  are  essential 
to  qualify  them  for  the  duties  of  mothers  and  housewives  ?" 

Education,  like  religion,  had  made  but  little  progress  in  Oregon,  notwithstanding  the 
earnest  and  laudable  efforts  of  the  American  Baptist  Mission,  both  male  and  female, 
who  had  succeeded  in  overcoming  the  prejudices  of  the  Indian  parents,  and  induced 
them  to  send  their  children  to  school ;  but  like  young  partridges  caged  up,  they  were 
difficult  to  tame,  and  upon  the  first  good  opportunity  would  run  away,  swim  the  rivers, 
and  return  to  their  homes ;  sometimes  their  parents  would  carry  them  back,  and  the 
next  good  chance  they  would  run  again. 

I  did  not  hear  that  harsh  treatment  was  resorted  to  in  such  cases.  It  would  no 
doubt  prove  ineffectual. 

The  girls  were  reported  more  tractable  than  the  boys,  and  some  of  the  half-breeds, 
Canadian  and  Indian,  were  making  considerable  progress. 

"  268. — Is  there  any  interest  observable  in  the  improved  modes  of  agriculture  ?" 
Have  made  no  progress  in  agriculture,  and  so  far  as  I  could  see,  appeared  perfectly 
indifferent  about  it. 

"  269. — Have  the  tribe  provided  for  the  construction  of  roads,  bridges,  and  ferries, 
either  by  an  appropriation  of  their  general  funds,  or  by  imposing  the  duty  of  personal 
service  or  tax,  on  the  residents  of  the  several  districts  ?" 

Have  literally  done  nothing. 

"  270. — To  what  extent  is  the  English  language  spoken,  and  English  books  read, 
and  what  is  the  tendency  of  opinion  and  practice  on  this  subject,  in  the  tribe  ?" 


HISTORY,   AND    GOVERNMENT.  223 

Saw  but  two  of  the  Klatsop  tribe  that  pretended  to  speak  the  English  language. 
and  their  knowledge  in  regard  to  it  was  very  limited. 

My  opinion  has  already  been  expressed  upon  several  of  these  points ;  their  condition 
will  not  be  much  improved  until  our  laws  are  enforced  among  them,  restraining  the 
whites  as  well  as  themselves. 

"  288.  —  Have  there  been  any  striking  changes  in  the  physical  type  of  the  Indian 
race,  beyond  that  produced  by  latitudes  and  longitudes,  and  by  their  manner  of 
subsistence  ?  " 

The  physical  difference  between  the  Indians  found  at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia, 
and  those  inhabiting  the  upper  valley  of  the  Sacramento,  is  very  striking ;  and  very 
much  in  favor  of  the  latter,  who  resemble  the  Pacific  Islanders  more  than  any  I  met 
with  on  the  coast.  This  difference  is,  perhaps,  as  much  due  to  their  different  manner 
of  subsistence,  as  to  latitude  and  climate :  the  language  is  also  very  different. 

Many  of  the  questions  that  follow  I  must  pass  over,  having  gained  but  little 
knowledge  of  the  structure  of  their  different  languages,  which  vary  very  much,  and 
to  me  appeared  neither  homologous  nor  homogeneous. 

Through  the  assistance  of  an  intelligent  American,  by  the  name  of  Rodgers,  (who, 
with  his  young  wife,  was  afterwards  carried  over  the  Willamette  falls  in  a  canoe,  and 
drowned,)  I  endeavored  to  make  out  a  vocabulary  of  the  Callapuya  language;  but 
owing  to  their  indolence  and  indifference,  had  not  proceeded  far  when  the  former  was 
taken  sick,  and  left  me.  I  afterwards  employed  a  Canadian,  who  understood  the 
jargon  spoken  about  the  Columbia  river,  but  who  could  not  interpret  after  leaving  the 
Callapuya  country.  The  language  which  I  had  previously  heard  most  spoken  about 
the  Columbia  was  the  Klatsop  dialect,  of  which  I  can  furnish  the  meaning  to  a  few 
words,  viz. :  — 

Ikaui,  or  Akaui Their  principal  god,  or  deity. 

So-ole Another  god,  or  name  for  same. 

Ital-a-pus "of  fish. 

Tam-au-a-wa "      "   dancing. 

Steokum "      "   evil. 

Boston  ships A  general  name  for  all  ships. 

Boston  man "  "      white  men. 

Co-at-la-li-kum Man. 

Cloach-man Woman. 

Chicks Friend. 

Chu-ban Horse. 

Moos-moos Cow. 

Mo-u-ets Deer. 

Cula-cula      .     .  Bird. 


224  TRIBAL   ORGANIZATION, 

Ka-wacks Dog. 

Qua-wack Salmon. 

Qua-qua Duck. 

Su-bits "Wood. 

Suk-walella Musket. 

Olem-bo,  or  boh Pipe. 

Kin-tie,  or  kin-u-tle Tobacco. 

Ma-ma-lus-te Dead. 

Loosh Dying. 

Wobu-kata Die. 

Muc,  or  muck Eating 

Close-nau-ich Look-out. 

Hi-as Great. 

Sa-math Their  future  hunting-grounds. 

E-to-ke-te Good. 

Ni-ka I.     Also,  small. 

Mi-ka You. 

Yo-ka He. 

A-ka She. 

We-si-ka We  —  ours. 

Mi-si-ka Ye  —  yours. 

Klas-ka They  —  theirs. 

I  am  not  quite  certain  that  I  have,  in  every  instance,  adopted  the  spelling  best  suited 
to  convey  the  sound. 

The  language  is  extremely  guttural,  and  it  requires  some  practice  to  catch  the 
sounds. 

Many  words  in  this  language,  I  presume,  are  common  to  the  Chimook  language, 
and,  perhaps,  to  the  Chickeeles,  and  Kilamukes,  who  mix  with,  and  appear  to 
understand  each  other. 

Grimace,  more  than  gesticulation,  appears  to  aid  them  in  their  expression;  a 
peculiarity  less  observable  among  the  more  southern  tribes. 

Finally,  as  a  race,  although  they  differ  materially  in  language,  in  point  of  mental 
and  physical  development,  and  the  color  of  their  hair,  eyes,  and  skin,  I  question  if 
they  differ  more  from  each  other  than  the  people  occupying  the  extremes  of  the 
United  States.  They  are  generally  well  formed,  below  the  whites  in  stature,  have  an 
easy  gait,  but  neither  graceful  nor  handsome ;  their  eyes  and  hair  usually  black  —  the 
latter  occasionally  brown,  generally  parted  in  the  middle  of  the  forehead,  so  as  to 
hang  down  each  side ;  noses  broad  and  flat  —  some  aquiline  exceptions.  The  mouth 
large,  lips  thick,  teeth  fair,  but  in  adults  generally  more  or  less  worn. 


HISTORY,   AND   GOVERNMENT.  225 

They  are  wily,  superstitious,  lazy,  indolent,  and  dirty.  With  these  traits,  united  to 
an  implacable  hostility  which  they  generally  entertain  towards  the  whites,  it  does  not, 
I  think,  require  much  wisdom  to  predict  their  fate. 

Facts  that  have  developed  themselves  within  the  last  year  relating  to  these  tribes, 
must,  I  think,  convince  the  observing  that  Indian  agencies  and  treaties  cannot  alone 
save  them.  It  is  melancholy  to  see  them  melting  away  so  rapidly ;  but  it  does  not 
appear  to  be  intended  that  civilization  should  prevent  it. 

In  conclusion,  permit  me  once  more  to  express  my  regret  that  I  am  able  to  furnish 
you  with  so  little  information  in  regard  to  these  tribes,  of  whom  so  little  is  known. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  FALCONER  EMMONS, 

HENRY  R.  SCHOOLCRAFT,  ESQ.  Lieut.  U.  S.  N. 

Office  of  Indian  Affairs,  Washington,  D.  C. 


3.    THE  DACOTAHS  OR  SIOUX  OF  THE  UPPER  MISSISSIPPI. 

[Second  Paper,  continued  from  "  Contributions,"  p.  199,  Vol.  II.] 

BY    PHILANDER    PRESCOTT, 
V.    8.    DACOTAH   INTERPRETER,   FORT   SNELLINO  AGENCY,    MINNESOTA. 

SUBJECTS    OP    PAPER. 

1.  Religion. 

2.  Mythology. 

3.  Manners  and  Customs. 


RELIGION. — [CONTINUED.] 

"  135. — HAVE  they  a  class  of  persons  who  affect  to  wield  the  power  of  necromancy 
or  sorcery  ?  Do  they  affect  to  remove  diseases,  or  to  inflict  them  ?  Do  they  believe 
in  witchcraft  ?  " 

Disturbances  and  murders  are  committed  every  now  and  then,  on  account  of  the 
belief  in  supernatural  powers.     They  believe  they  can  kill  each  other  in  various  ways. 
So,  if  a  person  dies,  some  individual  is  charged  with  the  offence,  and  revenge  sought 
(See  Xos.  74  and  133.) 
PT.  III.  —  29 


